I’ll add another reason why: We don’t actually need the course, we just need to have more confidence in our own self-expression. I often watch the first video of a course and think “I don’t want to make art like that.”
Yes! That’s such an important insight. So often we’re searching for permission or a formula, when what we really need is trust—in our own voice, our own way of creating. I’ve felt that too—watching a course and thinking, “This isn’t me.” And that’s okay. Sometimes the most powerful thing a course can do is remind us that we already have something uniquely ours to say. 💛
Shannon, yes. This hits. It really does come down to trust—trusting our own voice, our rhythm, the way we do things. I’ve been there too, clicking on that first video thinking maybe, just maybe, this one will hold the magic formula. And then realizing… it doesn’t. It’s just someone else who’s already found their way—and good for them—but it’s not mine.
The real magic, like you said, is in the showing up. Falling, failing, learning, doing it again. Not because we’ve got it all figured out, but because we care enough to keep going.
So grateful you shared this. You’re definitely not the only one. I’m right there with you.
You are definitely not the only one! It’s amazing how many of us carry the same feelings and think we’re alone in them. I’m so glad this resonated — we’re all in this creative journey together!
I can relate to all the excuses and forgotten courses sitting on my hard drive. But since starting an art class In Real Life, I am finding I do show up for my creative practice, finally. The accountability, exercises, and community make the difference for me.
Yes to all of this! I’ve got a hard drive full of forgotten courses too 😅. It’s such a game changer when you find something that actually gets you to show up. I’m really glad the Real Life class is working for you—that accountability and creative community can make all the difference. Keep going!
I probably have 1 or 2 classes purchased in 2024 that haven’t reached their expiration yet, but I couldn’t tell you off the top of my head what they are. So my resolution in 2025 (that I’ve kept so far) is not to purchase anything else. When the save-your-spot email arrives, I just delete it. I hope my credit card appreciates the rest!
I love this so much—what a bold and brilliant boundary to set for yourself! Your credit card is definitely breathing easier, and honestly, your future self will thank you for clearing the clutter (both digital and mental). Cheering you on as you use what you’ve got and make space for what truly matters!
Yes, Jackie! Sometimes saying no is the most powerful yes—to clarity, to focus, to using what we already have. I love that you’re honoring your boundaries and your bank account. That’s wise, creative self-leadership in action. 👏
Love this post! I’m always curious as to why we often find it so difficult to take time for ourselves. Creativity is so important for our wellbeing. Thank you for calling this out and encouraging us ladies to take time for our art and self expression! Even if it’s only for 5 minutes!
Thank you so much! 💛 I wonder about that too—how we can give so much to others but hesitate to give ourselves even a few minutes. You’re so right—creativity isn’t just a hobby, it’s nourishment. I’m cheering you on for those 5 minutes (or more!) of art and expression. They truly matter.
For those who have a library of already purchased courses that they can still access…
Something I've found helpful is to stop thinking of them as courses to complete and instead treat them like reference or guide books in a personal library: something to dip into when you want to review a technique or want a bit of inspiration. (And yes, just forget all about completing or "submitting" exercises/projects unless the course includes genuine, meaningful feedback from the coach.)
To make this Course-As-Resource strategy work, it's important to "skim" the course: read the outline, read over any text/PDF materials, and watch key videos such as the introduction or a core demonstration of a technique. Make a note of the aspects of the course that seem of most interest/value to you (it may be just one or two things, and that's ok). Copy the outline with comments of your own to a document or notes app. In this way you can build a detailed index or catalogue of the courses you own – especially important if you have more than two or three. Then, when you need and want to, you can consult any given course in the way you might consult a book.
Yvonne, this is such a generous and helpful reframe. I love the idea of treating our courses like a personal library rather than another thing to finish. That shift alone takes so much pressure off.
The way you described skimming for value, making notes, and creating a kind of index—it’s brilliant. And honestly, it’s so kind to our brains. It lets us use what we already have without feeling like we’ve failed for not “completing” something. That word alone can carry so much weight.
I’m going to try this Course-as-Resource approach myself—because yes, I’ve got more than a few sitting quietly in my digital shelves, and I know they still have something to offer.
Isn’t it amazing how one little shift in perspective can lighten everything? I’m so glad that idea landed with you. Those courses aren’t wasted — they’re a library, a well you can dip into when the time feels right. No guilt, just support waiting for you. 💛
One thing that helps me is to agree with myself, that is is okay to just listen to the course - and that I do not have to actually make art. At least not in the first run.
That way I can listen to it while driving. Or when tired. And it still stays with me and then sometimes makes my urge to go back and listen/rewatch stronger. And even if I do not go back to it, I still got some inspiration with me. Somehow that feels more informal. Makes the pressure go away :)
Oh yes—I love this so much. That gentle agreement with yourself? It’s everything. Just listening without the pressure to produce is such a kind, wise way to stay connected to your creativity. I do that too sometimes—just let it wash over me while I’m walking or folding laundry. And you’re right, the inspiration still sneaks in. It keeps the spark alive without demanding anything from us. Thank you for sharing this—what a beautiful reminder to make it feel lighter, more human, and way more fun. 💛
This spoke to me to loud! I have a whole bunch of domestika courses I bought before they moved to a subscription model! Still valid, just sat there, patiently waiting for me to revisit them. Sketchbooking, visual journaling, embroidery… the list goes on. The introduction video is “complete” on some of them…. A tiny achievement! 🙈 And let’s not get started on all the free ones. I sign up to them all, put them in my calendar, and …. 🫥 Well, something else takes priority, or life distracts me.
Like someone else said tho, I have been to some “real life” life drawing classes, which have really filled my cup.
Funny that when you book and pay for something where someone else is expecting you to show up, you do!
Oh wow—yes, I hear every word of this! 🙌 That digital stack of beautiful intentions is so real. But I love that you’re honoring those tiny achievements (intro videos totally count!) and recognizing what does work for you. Real-life classes, showing up for someone else, the structure—that’s gold. And maybe all those courses are just patiently waiting for the version of you who’s ready to meet them with fresh eyes. No shame, just slow, steady circling back. You’re doing beautifully. 💛
This is so true! I'm comforted to know I'm not the only one (at this stage, I don't even know how many Domestika courses are still waiting for me in my account! Thank you for this. And I love the "Let's open it together."
Clare, I’m so glad this landed with you. And same—if we counted up all the Domestika courses waiting quietly in our accounts… well, let’s just say I’d need a second cup of coffee and a spreadsheet!
There’s something comforting about knowing we’re not alone in this. And yes—let’s open it together takes the pressure off, doesn’t it? No expectation to finish, just a soft way back in. I’m so glad you’re here.
Susanne, I’m so glad the headline pulled you in—and oh yes, I feel you on the lingering Udemy stash! It’s like a digital treasure chest of good intentions.
Thank you for the shout-out to Louise Stigell—I haven’t heard of The DIY Art School, but now I’m totally intrigued. I love the sound of a gentle, calm approach that meets us where we are. Heading over to check her out now—appreciate you sharing this! 💛
OMG this is so ME. Tsundoku is the Japanese word for letting books pile up without reading them, or having the intention to do ‘some day’. That is me too. So what is the word for collecting art tutorial videos that are piled up so high that you have forgotten which ones you have, never started or never finished but have every intention of doing so. There must be a NAME for this disorder too…haha. I have both. Books and Art tutorial videos.
Haha yes—this is me too, 100%! Tsundoku for books… and we definitely need a word for the towering mountain of art courses and tutorials waiting patiently for “someday.” Maybe we call it artdoku—the joyful (and slightly overwhelming) habit of collecting creative possibilities. 😄 You’re not alone, and honestly, I think it just means you’re someone who believes in beauty, growth, and future you. Nothing wrong with that. Sending encouragement from one proud collector to another!
You just invented the new word that we all needed….ARTDOKU. I think that also applies to the mountain of art supplies bought and collected in addition to unwatched or uncompleted art videos. I need my own warehouse for all the art supplies that I just had to have. I think there is something beautiful in all of this - but my husband thinks it is a sign of a serious disorder.
Janice, haha yes!! Beautiful, untouched supplies are practically an art form in themselves 😄 And hey, just knowing they’re there—ready and waiting for when inspiration strikes—is a kind of comfort too. No guilt, just gentle nudges when the time feels right. 💛
Hi I’m Holly and I’m a course Junkie🤣to ad fuel to the fire I work at Blicks art store, and I don’t even have kids but I can completely resonate with all you have shared. I seem to spend most of my time at kitchen sink washing dishes or sweeping and vacuuming😛
Holly, I laughed out loud at “course junkie”—I feel this deeply! Working at Blick’s must be both amazing and dangerous. (I’d never leave without new goodies!) And those dishes and floors… somehow they always seem to call louder than our creative projects. Thanks for sharing—so glad we’re in this together! 😂💕
This is exactly what I needed to read! The post and all the comments have made me feel so good - that I am not a flakey failure for failing to finish all the courses that I buy. They all excite me and fill me with hope but when I don't complete them (in time - I am also held hostage by the timelines of the courses) I feel that I have let the teacher and myself down and it all just piles on to my sense of not being good enough. I see now, ever so thankfully, that I am not alone here and that I am actually quite normal! I thought it was just me....
Nathalie, I’m so glad this found you at the right time. And you are absolutely not a flakey failure—you’re human. So many of us light up with hope at the start of a course and then life (or self-doubt or perfectionism) steps in.
That guilt you mentioned? I know it well. Feeling like we’ve let someone down—especially ourselves—can get heavy fast. But just like you said, the comments and community show us: you’re not alone. You’re not behind. You’re not broken.
You’re an artist finding her way, just like the rest of us. And that’s more than enough. 💛
Point 4 is especially true. And this isn't a criticism of those who create such courses. Often these are superb offerings: full of well-prepared and well-presented content, with high production values, lots of resources, pedagogically sound, etc. I purchased one from a teacher whose in-person workshops I've also taken. Excellent value! But there's simply too much material for the recommended pace, especially if you're also working full-time. Even though I _know_ I can work at my own pace, taking three or four weeks to complete material and exercises positioned as one week's worth, the official pacing presents a serious psychological barrier. This is exacerbated when the course creator promotes occasional "live" run-throughs for courses (i.e. students being able to work together in real time and support each other through the course forum as well as access weekly feedback livestreams from the teacher). Again, this is a fabulous, generous offer that further increases the excellent value of the online course. But because the pace is too fast, too unrealistic, it seems to make things worse (at least for me).
Yvonne, yes—thank you for articulating this so clearly. You’re right—it’s not about the quality of the course or the teacher. So many of them are beautifully done, full of heart and intention and value. It’s the pacing that can feel like the hurdle.
Even when we know we can go at our own pace, there’s something about that “official” timeline that puts pressure on our nervous systems. Especially when we’re juggling full-time work or life responsibilities. It becomes another thing we’re “behind” on.
And I get it—those live run-throughs, the added feedback, the community… it’s all so generous. But when the pacing doesn’t match our reality, it can turn something that’s meant to support us into something that adds stress.
I’m so glad you named this. You’re not alone in feeling this way. It’s something I think a lot of us carry quietly.
So far, I have finally recorded in my to do list on my calendar those courses I need to reaccess. I was excited about them when I signed up and I know deep down I am still excited about them but you're right no deadlines or accountability keep me from starting. At least after reading your post, I don't feel quite so bad about myself...and it encourages me to try again. Thanks!!
Janice, I’m so glad you shared this—and yes, that spark of excitement is still in there, even if it’s buried under busy days and blank calendar spaces. I love that you took the step to add them to your calendar—that’s huge! Sometimes the kindest thing we can do for ourselves is simply to try again, no shame, no guilt, just a fresh start. You’re not behind—you’re right on time. Cheering you on as you reaccess and reconnect with what still lights you up! 💛
Janice, you’re so welcome 💝 Your words truly touched me, and I’m so glad the encouragement landed just when you needed it. We’re all in this together, cheering each other on—one small, brave step at a time. Keep going—you’re doing beautifully.
I think I needed this one today. Mixed media and art journaling gave me an art practice, and I love it so much, but lately it feels like a LOT of stuff that I need to get out and set up and I get overwhelmed. I don't have a dedicated space, I work at the dining room table so whatever I do has to include set up and clean up. I've been telling myself I can move to simpler work just to do something and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
For those people who aren't even sure what they have, Amy from Mindful Art Studio has a free course called "How to Start and Finish Your Online Art Classes" and it's funny that I would recommend yet another course but she talks about this very issue and gives a nice framework in how to approach it if you feel like you want to get a handle on what is available to you or if you want to use Yvonne's Course-As-Resource strategy.
Renee, thank you so much for sharing this—it’s such a real and relatable struggle. Mixed media and journaling can bring so much joy, but yes, the logistics can feel like a wall when your space isn’t set up to support the flow. I love that you’re giving yourself permission to simplify, even if it doesn’t always “work.” That is the work—staying curious and adjusting with compassion. And thank you for the Mindful Art Studio recommendation—that course sounds like a wonderful resource. You’re not alone in this. Keep going in whatever way you can—you’re showing up, and that matters.
I’ll add another reason why: We don’t actually need the course, we just need to have more confidence in our own self-expression. I often watch the first video of a course and think “I don’t want to make art like that.”
Yes! That’s such an important insight. So often we’re searching for permission or a formula, when what we really need is trust—in our own voice, our own way of creating. I’ve felt that too—watching a course and thinking, “This isn’t me.” And that’s okay. Sometimes the most powerful thing a course can do is remind us that we already have something uniquely ours to say. 💛
Shannon, yes. This hits. It really does come down to trust—trusting our own voice, our rhythm, the way we do things. I’ve been there too, clicking on that first video thinking maybe, just maybe, this one will hold the magic formula. And then realizing… it doesn’t. It’s just someone else who’s already found their way—and good for them—but it’s not mine.
The real magic, like you said, is in the showing up. Falling, failing, learning, doing it again. Not because we’ve got it all figured out, but because we care enough to keep going.
So grateful you shared this. You’re definitely not the only one. I’m right there with you.
OMG so true.. i thought i was the only one who felt like that
Hi RR,
You are definitely not the only one! It’s amazing how many of us carry the same feelings and think we’re alone in them. I’m so glad this resonated — we’re all in this creative journey together!
I can relate to all the excuses and forgotten courses sitting on my hard drive. But since starting an art class In Real Life, I am finding I do show up for my creative practice, finally. The accountability, exercises, and community make the difference for me.
Yes to all of this! I’ve got a hard drive full of forgotten courses too 😅. It’s such a game changer when you find something that actually gets you to show up. I’m really glad the Real Life class is working for you—that accountability and creative community can make all the difference. Keep going!
I probably have 1 or 2 classes purchased in 2024 that haven’t reached their expiration yet, but I couldn’t tell you off the top of my head what they are. So my resolution in 2025 (that I’ve kept so far) is not to purchase anything else. When the save-your-spot email arrives, I just delete it. I hope my credit card appreciates the rest!
I love this so much—what a bold and brilliant boundary to set for yourself! Your credit card is definitely breathing easier, and honestly, your future self will thank you for clearing the clutter (both digital and mental). Cheering you on as you use what you’ve got and make space for what truly matters!
Same same. I have said no to all courses this year. It’s helped my bank account for sure!
Yes, Jackie! Sometimes saying no is the most powerful yes—to clarity, to focus, to using what we already have. I love that you’re honoring your boundaries and your bank account. That’s wise, creative self-leadership in action. 👏
Love this post! I’m always curious as to why we often find it so difficult to take time for ourselves. Creativity is so important for our wellbeing. Thank you for calling this out and encouraging us ladies to take time for our art and self expression! Even if it’s only for 5 minutes!
Thank you so much! 💛 I wonder about that too—how we can give so much to others but hesitate to give ourselves even a few minutes. You’re so right—creativity isn’t just a hobby, it’s nourishment. I’m cheering you on for those 5 minutes (or more!) of art and expression. They truly matter.
For those who have a library of already purchased courses that they can still access…
Something I've found helpful is to stop thinking of them as courses to complete and instead treat them like reference or guide books in a personal library: something to dip into when you want to review a technique or want a bit of inspiration. (And yes, just forget all about completing or "submitting" exercises/projects unless the course includes genuine, meaningful feedback from the coach.)
To make this Course-As-Resource strategy work, it's important to "skim" the course: read the outline, read over any text/PDF materials, and watch key videos such as the introduction or a core demonstration of a technique. Make a note of the aspects of the course that seem of most interest/value to you (it may be just one or two things, and that's ok). Copy the outline with comments of your own to a document or notes app. In this way you can build a detailed index or catalogue of the courses you own – especially important if you have more than two or three. Then, when you need and want to, you can consult any given course in the way you might consult a book.
Yvonne, this is such a generous and helpful reframe. I love the idea of treating our courses like a personal library rather than another thing to finish. That shift alone takes so much pressure off.
The way you described skimming for value, making notes, and creating a kind of index—it’s brilliant. And honestly, it’s so kind to our brains. It lets us use what we already have without feeling like we’ve failed for not “completing” something. That word alone can carry so much weight.
I’m going to try this Course-as-Resource approach myself—because yes, I’ve got more than a few sitting quietly in my digital shelves, and I know they still have something to offer.
Thanks so much for sharing this!
Brilliant idea to mentally relabel unused courses as a resource! I feel lighter already.
Isn’t it amazing how one little shift in perspective can lighten everything? I’m so glad that idea landed with you. Those courses aren’t wasted — they’re a library, a well you can dip into when the time feels right. No guilt, just support waiting for you. 💛
One thing that helps me is to agree with myself, that is is okay to just listen to the course - and that I do not have to actually make art. At least not in the first run.
That way I can listen to it while driving. Or when tired. And it still stays with me and then sometimes makes my urge to go back and listen/rewatch stronger. And even if I do not go back to it, I still got some inspiration with me. Somehow that feels more informal. Makes the pressure go away :)
Oh yes—I love this so much. That gentle agreement with yourself? It’s everything. Just listening without the pressure to produce is such a kind, wise way to stay connected to your creativity. I do that too sometimes—just let it wash over me while I’m walking or folding laundry. And you’re right, the inspiration still sneaks in. It keeps the spark alive without demanding anything from us. Thank you for sharing this—what a beautiful reminder to make it feel lighter, more human, and way more fun. 💛
Interesting!!!
This spoke to me to loud! I have a whole bunch of domestika courses I bought before they moved to a subscription model! Still valid, just sat there, patiently waiting for me to revisit them. Sketchbooking, visual journaling, embroidery… the list goes on. The introduction video is “complete” on some of them…. A tiny achievement! 🙈 And let’s not get started on all the free ones. I sign up to them all, put them in my calendar, and …. 🫥 Well, something else takes priority, or life distracts me.
Like someone else said tho, I have been to some “real life” life drawing classes, which have really filled my cup.
Funny that when you book and pay for something where someone else is expecting you to show up, you do!
Oh wow—yes, I hear every word of this! 🙌 That digital stack of beautiful intentions is so real. But I love that you’re honoring those tiny achievements (intro videos totally count!) and recognizing what does work for you. Real-life classes, showing up for someone else, the structure—that’s gold. And maybe all those courses are just patiently waiting for the version of you who’s ready to meet them with fresh eyes. No shame, just slow, steady circling back. You’re doing beautifully. 💛
This is so true! I'm comforted to know I'm not the only one (at this stage, I don't even know how many Domestika courses are still waiting for me in my account! Thank you for this. And I love the "Let's open it together."
Clare, I’m so glad this landed with you. And same—if we counted up all the Domestika courses waiting quietly in our accounts… well, let’s just say I’d need a second cup of coffee and a spreadsheet!
There’s something comforting about knowing we’re not alone in this. And yes—let’s open it together takes the pressure off, doesn’t it? No expectation to finish, just a soft way back in. I’m so glad you’re here.
Domestika have made it far too easy for us to fall down their rabbit hole 🙈🙈
Totally agree, Rebecca! Their rabbit hole is cozy, colorful, and full of good intentions—it is so easy to go in for “just one” and come out with five!
With that headline - I had to read the story.
So totally me. I don't even know how many art courses I got lingering in Udemy.
Here's a little shout-out to Louise Stigell - The Calm Creative.
I just started watching her new series on Youtube "The DIY Art School"
That might be the right approach for me.
She is also here on Substack
https://louisestigell.substack.com/
Susanne, I’m so glad the headline pulled you in—and oh yes, I feel you on the lingering Udemy stash! It’s like a digital treasure chest of good intentions.
Thank you for the shout-out to Louise Stigell—I haven’t heard of The DIY Art School, but now I’m totally intrigued. I love the sound of a gentle, calm approach that meets us where we are. Heading over to check her out now—appreciate you sharing this! 💛
It was Louise who got me interested in starting on Substack. I like her mellow style.
OMG this is so ME. Tsundoku is the Japanese word for letting books pile up without reading them, or having the intention to do ‘some day’. That is me too. So what is the word for collecting art tutorial videos that are piled up so high that you have forgotten which ones you have, never started or never finished but have every intention of doing so. There must be a NAME for this disorder too…haha. I have both. Books and Art tutorial videos.
Haha yes—this is me too, 100%! Tsundoku for books… and we definitely need a word for the towering mountain of art courses and tutorials waiting patiently for “someday.” Maybe we call it artdoku—the joyful (and slightly overwhelming) habit of collecting creative possibilities. 😄 You’re not alone, and honestly, I think it just means you’re someone who believes in beauty, growth, and future you. Nothing wrong with that. Sending encouragement from one proud collector to another!
You just invented the new word that we all needed….ARTDOKU. I think that also applies to the mountain of art supplies bought and collected in addition to unwatched or uncompleted art videos. I need my own warehouse for all the art supplies that I just had to have. I think there is something beautiful in all of this - but my husband thinks it is a sign of a serious disorder.
Oh my!!... Now I don't feel so bad, at least. My art supplies do look so lovely in the drawer 🥴
Janice, haha yes!! Beautiful, untouched supplies are practically an art form in themselves 😄 And hey, just knowing they’re there—ready and waiting for when inspiration strikes—is a kind of comfort too. No guilt, just gentle nudges when the time feels right. 💛
Hi I’m Holly and I’m a course Junkie🤣to ad fuel to the fire I work at Blicks art store, and I don’t even have kids but I can completely resonate with all you have shared. I seem to spend most of my time at kitchen sink washing dishes or sweeping and vacuuming😛
Holly, I laughed out loud at “course junkie”—I feel this deeply! Working at Blick’s must be both amazing and dangerous. (I’d never leave without new goodies!) And those dishes and floors… somehow they always seem to call louder than our creative projects. Thanks for sharing—so glad we’re in this together! 😂💕
This is exactly what I needed to read! The post and all the comments have made me feel so good - that I am not a flakey failure for failing to finish all the courses that I buy. They all excite me and fill me with hope but when I don't complete them (in time - I am also held hostage by the timelines of the courses) I feel that I have let the teacher and myself down and it all just piles on to my sense of not being good enough. I see now, ever so thankfully, that I am not alone here and that I am actually quite normal! I thought it was just me....
Nathalie, I’m so glad this found you at the right time. And you are absolutely not a flakey failure—you’re human. So many of us light up with hope at the start of a course and then life (or self-doubt or perfectionism) steps in.
That guilt you mentioned? I know it well. Feeling like we’ve let someone down—especially ourselves—can get heavy fast. But just like you said, the comments and community show us: you’re not alone. You’re not behind. You’re not broken.
You’re an artist finding her way, just like the rest of us. And that’s more than enough. 💛
Point 4 is especially true. And this isn't a criticism of those who create such courses. Often these are superb offerings: full of well-prepared and well-presented content, with high production values, lots of resources, pedagogically sound, etc. I purchased one from a teacher whose in-person workshops I've also taken. Excellent value! But there's simply too much material for the recommended pace, especially if you're also working full-time. Even though I _know_ I can work at my own pace, taking three or four weeks to complete material and exercises positioned as one week's worth, the official pacing presents a serious psychological barrier. This is exacerbated when the course creator promotes occasional "live" run-throughs for courses (i.e. students being able to work together in real time and support each other through the course forum as well as access weekly feedback livestreams from the teacher). Again, this is a fabulous, generous offer that further increases the excellent value of the online course. But because the pace is too fast, too unrealistic, it seems to make things worse (at least for me).
Yvonne, yes—thank you for articulating this so clearly. You’re right—it’s not about the quality of the course or the teacher. So many of them are beautifully done, full of heart and intention and value. It’s the pacing that can feel like the hurdle.
Even when we know we can go at our own pace, there’s something about that “official” timeline that puts pressure on our nervous systems. Especially when we’re juggling full-time work or life responsibilities. It becomes another thing we’re “behind” on.
And I get it—those live run-throughs, the added feedback, the community… it’s all so generous. But when the pacing doesn’t match our reality, it can turn something that’s meant to support us into something that adds stress.
I’m so glad you named this. You’re not alone in feeling this way. It’s something I think a lot of us carry quietly.
So far, I have finally recorded in my to do list on my calendar those courses I need to reaccess. I was excited about them when I signed up and I know deep down I am still excited about them but you're right no deadlines or accountability keep me from starting. At least after reading your post, I don't feel quite so bad about myself...and it encourages me to try again. Thanks!!
Janice, I’m so glad you shared this—and yes, that spark of excitement is still in there, even if it’s buried under busy days and blank calendar spaces. I love that you took the step to add them to your calendar—that’s huge! Sometimes the kindest thing we can do for ourselves is simply to try again, no shame, no guilt, just a fresh start. You’re not behind—you’re right on time. Cheering you on as you reaccess and reconnect with what still lights you up! 💛
What a beautiful lovely comment...thank you so much for the encouragement; I appreciate it 💝
Janice, you’re so welcome 💝 Your words truly touched me, and I’m so glad the encouragement landed just when you needed it. We’re all in this together, cheering each other on—one small, brave step at a time. Keep going—you’re doing beautifully.
Oh dear, I feel a bit seen….
I do see and hear you!💕
I think I needed this one today. Mixed media and art journaling gave me an art practice, and I love it so much, but lately it feels like a LOT of stuff that I need to get out and set up and I get overwhelmed. I don't have a dedicated space, I work at the dining room table so whatever I do has to include set up and clean up. I've been telling myself I can move to simpler work just to do something and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
For those people who aren't even sure what they have, Amy from Mindful Art Studio has a free course called "How to Start and Finish Your Online Art Classes" and it's funny that I would recommend yet another course but she talks about this very issue and gives a nice framework in how to approach it if you feel like you want to get a handle on what is available to you or if you want to use Yvonne's Course-As-Resource strategy.
Renee, thank you so much for sharing this—it’s such a real and relatable struggle. Mixed media and journaling can bring so much joy, but yes, the logistics can feel like a wall when your space isn’t set up to support the flow. I love that you’re giving yourself permission to simplify, even if it doesn’t always “work.” That is the work—staying curious and adjusting with compassion. And thank you for the Mindful Art Studio recommendation—that course sounds like a wonderful resource. You’re not alone in this. Keep going in whatever way you can—you’re showing up, and that matters.